Speaker delays swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva amid shutdown; Arizona sues
Arizona sues after Speaker delays swearing in Democrat
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 21, 2025 seeking to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva after a special-election victory. Johnson has postponed Grijalva’s swearing, citing the House being out of session during the government shutdown. Grijalva joined the suit and says she cannot fully serve constituents without the oath. Arizona’s complaint alleges the delay is politically motivated and would block a petition tied to Justice Department records about Jeffrey Epstein; Johnson denies the allegation and says the House schedule — not politics — controls swearing-in timing.
Why this matters
Johnson''s refusal to swear in Grijalva reveals how Speakers can weaponize procedural control to prevent opposition votes and delay representation. By keeping Grijalva unseated, Johnson blocks her from signing discharge petitions like the Epstein files release that would embarrass Republicans. This tactic denies Arizona voters their constitutional right to representation while Johnson negotiates shutdown terms. The excuse that he''s too busy with 22-hour days rings hollow when he hosted a White House luncheon the previous day. Arizona''s lawsuit could establish precedent that Speakers can''t delay seating members after state certification, but the House has historically resisted external oversight of internal procedures. Congress members from both parties should oppose this precedent because future Speakers could use it to manipulate House composition during crucial votes. Citizens can demand their representatives challenge Johnson''s authority and file ethics complaints. The case tests whether courts will intervene in House seating disputes or defer to congressional self-governance even when voter representation is at stake.
Core Facts
Arizona filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 21, 2025 asking a court to compel the House to swear in Adelita Grijalva or permit another official to administer the oath if the Speaker refuses.
Grijalva won a Sept. 23, 2025 special election to fill the seat vacated by her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, but the House has not sworn her in.
Speaker Mike Johnson has said the House will not reconvene while the government shutdown continues and has tied swearing-in timing to House scheduling; he denies acting to block any petition.
Reporting shows Grijalva gained physical access to an office but, as of mid-October reporting, lacked official House IT credentials and a government email, limiting her ability to perform all official duties.
Key Actors
Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
Johnson has declined to schedule Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in while the House remains out of session during the federal government shutdown. He has said scheduling, not politics, controls seating and rejected Arizona’s lawsuit as politically motivated.
Adelita Grijalva
Representative-elect (Arizona)
Grijalva won a Sept. 23, 2025 special election. She joined Arizona’s Oct. 21, 2025 lawsuit and says she lacks the formal access and authority she needs because she has not taken the oath.
Kris Mayes
Arizona Attorney General
Mayes filed the Oct. 21, 2025 federal suit on behalf of Arizona and Grijalva, asking a court to compel the House to seat Grijalva or allow another official to administer the oath.
Hakeem Jeffries
House Minority Leader
Jeffries publicly supported Arizona’s legal challenge and appeared with Grijalva at a press event raising the representation issue.
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